Key areas of concentration include the role of the Pharma Tech in a professional environment, an overview of medications used to treat specific body systems, a breakdown of the different classifications of drugs, and a review of the basic sciences at the core of pharmacyCertified Pharmacy Technician Training Program Online practice. You can scroll down to the bottom of the page to discover the syllabus of the training.
The course involves 160 Clock Hours of online training (on your own schedule), and 16 Clock Hours of hands-on experience in a pharmacy externship. We Care Online now has an agreement with Walgreens to provide the externship experience. (Each Walgreens has the option to accept or decline each individual.)
This course is recognized by the PTCB as an eligible pathway to become a Certified Pharma Tech (CPhT).The course offers helpful PTCB examination review so you’ll be ready to pass the national certifying exam.
We also provide information on career opportunities for pharma techs and advice on getting a job and advancing in the profession.
Discover the content of our Pharmacy Technician Online Training Program in the FAQ section below.
Unit 1
1: History of Medicine and Pharmacy
2: Pharmacy Law, Ethics, and Regulatory Agencies
3: Competencies, Associations, and Settings for Technicians
Unit 2
4: Communication and Role of the Technician with the Customer/Patient
5: Dosage Forms and Routes of Administration
6: Conversions and Calculations
7: Drug Information References
Unit 3
8: Community Pharmacy Practice
9: Institutional Pharmacy Practice
10: Additional Pharmacy Practice Settings
11: Bulk Repackaging and Non-Sterile Compounding
12: Aseptic Technique and Sterile Compounding
13: Pharmacy Billing and Inventory Management
14: Medication Safety and Error Prevention
Unit 4
15: Therapeutic Agents for the Nervous System
16: Therapeutic Agents for the Endocrine System
17: Therapeutic Agents for the Musculoskeletal System
18: Therapeutic Agents for the Cardiovascular System
19: Therapeutic Agents for the Respiratory System
Unit 5
20: Therapeutic Agents for the Gastrointestinal System
21: Therapeutic Agents for the Renal System
22: Therapeutic Agents for the Reproductive System
23: Therapeutic Agents for the Immune System
Unit 6
24: Therapeutic Agents for the Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat
25: Therapeutic Agents for the Dermatological System
26: Therapeutic Agents for the Hematological System
27: Over-the Counter (OTC) Medications
28: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Upon completion of this course, you should:
• Possess a working knowledge of basic pharmacology.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician including law and ethical guidelines for practice.
• Possess a working knowledge of the classifications of drugs.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of routes of administration, dosage forms, and drug dosages.
• Possess a working knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform essential functions relating to inventory control and purchasing.
• Possess a working knowledge of procedures and techniques relating to aseptic technique, compounding, and parenteral dosage preparation.
• Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between trade and generic names of drugs and abbreviations used in pharmacy practice.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the procedures and operations relating to the manufacturing, packaging, and labeling of drugs.
We use multiple methods of instruction to help you gain the knwoledge you need to pass the PTCE and be operational as a Pharmacy Tech when hired:
• Threaded discussions
• Didactic questions
• Practice exercises and interactive games
• Lecture materials
• Assignments, and
• Links to various studies
Certified Health Unit Coordinators are mandated by their certification organization, NAHUC, to recertify every 3 years or to lose their original certification. The recertification process requires that you earn 36 NAHUC contact-hours of continuing education in various activities during the three year validity period of your certification.
As a Certified Health Unit Coordinator you will have opportunities to gain these contact hours in the framework of your employment.
The average salary for a certified pharma tech (CPhT) ranges between $26,000 and $39,000. … A lead pharma tech in a hospital setting can earn anywhere from $14 to $18 per hour.
While these estimates are a good baseline to go off of, keep in mind that the average pay does vary depending on where you live. (May 12, 2019)
5 salaries reported $15/hr
2 salaries reported $12/hr
2 salaries reported $14/hr
1 salary reported $13/hr
(Source: Glassdoor.com)
25th Percentile Salary: $36,236 US
50th Percentile Salary: $40,183 US
75th Percentile Salary: $44,829 US
90th Percentile Salary: $49,060 US
(Source: Salary.com)
Based on average salaries, the states and districts where Pharma Techs are paid the best are: California ($45,200), Alaska ($44,280), Washington ($43,910), District of Columbia ($42,240), and Oregon ($42,160).
(Source: money.usnews.com)
In July 2017, the answer to this question was that it takes 2-5 years to do the training program at Walgreens (if you have no certification training). This is not the same as taking the Course with WeCareOnlineClasses, and doing your externship at Walgreens.
The PTCB requires certified Pharma Techs to recertify every two years. In order to recertify, a technician must complete at least 20 hours of pharma-related continuing education.
(Source: Study.com – Sep 30, 2019)
CPhTs are required by the PCBT to renew their certification every 2 years to maintain their credential. Recertification ensures that CPhTs stay up-to-date in the specialty through the completion of continuing education (CE).
(Source: PTCB.org)
Some states do not require a Pharma Tech license to work in a pharmacy. A Licensed Pharm Tech meets the state’s requirements to work in this setting. … A Certified Pharmacy Technician meets a non-governmental agency’s requirements and passes a national exam to obtain certification.
(Source: Pharmacytraininrx.com)
Becoming a Pharma Tech can be fairly easy as you only need a high school diploma and on-site experience. Becoming a Certified Pharma Tech requires more effort, but the education is worth it. See below the syllabus (content) of our CPhT Training Course.
We have covered (in the questions above) your compensation expectations depending on where you are employed.
A Pharma Tech career is also a stable one with ample employment opportunities and increasing demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for this career is bright with an above-average growth rate.
This line of work of can be stressful because accuracy is vital. Incorrectly filled prescriptions, wrong dosages or mislabeled bottles can become serious health risks.
A Pharma Tech is also in direct contact with customers. When they wait in line or wait for their prescription to be filled out, people can become aggravated. This can cause you stress if you do not have people skills.
This career offers advancement opportunities. You can begin in a tech position, but as your career progress you can climb up the ladder or branch out into a different field.
Pharma Techs can earn a number of specialty certifications to qualify for higher-paying positions. They can continue their education to earn their doctoral degree and become a Pharmacist. They can also transition to a different path: pharmaceutical sales, management, or compounding.
• Closed-door pharmacy
• Compound pharmacy
• Hospital pharmacy
• Pharmacy benefit manager
The passing scaled score for the Pharma Tech Certification Exam (PTCE) is 1400, with a range of possible scores of 1000 to 1600.
Due to the use of scaled scoring, the PTCB does not provide a percentage or number of questions that must be answered correctly in order to pass the exam.
To fully prepare for taking the PTCE, you need books covering at least three topics: Pharmacy procedures and practice; Pharmacy math; and Pharmacology (the study of medications).
In addition, you will want to buy or make two sets of flashcards.
No, you must take a PTCB-approved course. CPhT applicants who are within 60 days of completing a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program are eligible to take the PTCE.
However, CPhT Certification will not be granted until you provide the PTCB with a proof of education/training completion.
Click book to order
Context: This course consists of 60 hours. There are no prerequisites for this class.
Textbook: LaFleur Brooks’ Health Unit Coordinating, 7th Edition Gillingham and Seibel, ISBN# 978-1455707201
References: Various instructor texts and Websites will be utilized by the instructor.